Manthara, ever watchful and cunning, approached Queen Kaikeyi, who was accustomed to comfort and ease. She spoke sternly, warning Kaikeyi that she and her kin were being ruined by a deceitful enemy—one who, with false and soothing words, was placing Rama upon the throne. Urging Kaikeyi to act swiftly for her own good while the moment was ripe, Manthara pleaded with her to save herself, her son Bharata, and even Manthara herself, who watched these events unfold in astonishment. Hearing these words, the beautiful-faced Kaikeyi rose joyfully from her bed, radiant and delighted, her face shining like the crescent moon in autumn. Overflowing with happiness and wonder, she rewarded Manthara, the hunchbacked woman, with a splendid divine ornament. Having bestowed this gift, Kaikeyi, still delighted, turned to Manthara and spoke again, “This news you have brought me is most pleasing, Manthara. It is truly dear to my heart. Tell me what more I can do for you, for you have brought me such happiness.” Kaikeyi continued, “I see no difference between Rama and Bharata; I am pleased that the king will anoint Rama as heir to the throne. There is no greater boon for me than this. You, who are worthy of affection, have spoken sweet and delightful words, as if they were nectar. Therefore, choose the highest and best boon—I grant it to you.” But Manthara, filled with envy, cast aside the ornament. Her heart burned with anger and sorrow as she spoke, “Why do you rejoice without cause, foolish one? Do you not see that you are surrounded by an ocean of sorrow? Though I am overwhelmed by grief, I restrain myself for your sake, O queen. How can you be joyful when you should be mourning, faced with such great misfortune?” She lamented Kaikeyi’s lack of understanding, asking, “What wise woman would rejoice at the rise of a rival wife’s son, as if death itself had come?” Manthara explained that her fear was not only for Bharata, but also for the consequences of Rama’s accession, for fear arises from those who have something to lose. She continued, “Mighty-armed Lakshmana is wholly devoted to Rama, just as Shatrughna is to Bharata. Even though, by right of proximity, Bharata should have inherited the succession, it has been granted to those two younger brothers instead.” Manthara reminded Kaikeyi, “Fortunate indeed is Kausalya, whose son will be consecrated tomorrow as crown prince under the Pushya constellation by the foremost of Brahmanas. When the earth is filled with joy and Rama’s enemies are subdued, you will serve Kausalya with joined palms, like a servant. Together with us, you will become her attendant, and your son will be a servant to Rama. Rama’s chief wives will be delighted, but your daughters-in-law will not rejoice at Bharata’s decline.” Yet, as Manthara spoke thus, Kaikeyi, filled with satisfaction, praised only Rama’s virtues. She said, “Rama, the eldest son of the king, knows righteousness, is virtuous, self-controlled, grateful, truthful, and pure; he is surely worthy of the succession. He will protect his brothers and servants like a father. Why, O hunchback, are you troubled at the news of Rama’s consecration? Surely, after a hundred years, Bharata too, the best of men, will inherit the kingdom from Rama. When prosperity and happiness are at hand, why do you, Manthara, grieve and burn within at this good fortune?” Kaikeyi continued, “Just as Bharata is honored, so too is Raghava (Rama), even more so; besides Kausalya, he serves me greatly. If the kingdom is Rama’s, it is also Bharata’s, for Rama regards his brothers as himself.” Hearing Kaikeyi’s words, Manthara, deeply distressed, sighed long and hot, and replied, “Because of your foolishness, you do not see the misfortune before you, nor do you understand yourself, as you sink in a sea of sorrow and calamity. Raghava will become king, and his son after him, but Bharata will be cast aside from the royal line. Not all the king’s sons remain in the kingdom; if all were installed, there would be great disorder. That is why kings always entrust the kingdom’s affairs to the eldest, even if the others are virtuous.” Manthara warned, “Your son will be utterly broken, as if orphaned, deprived of comforts and the royal lineage, O affectionate one. I have come here for your sake, but you do not recognize my loyalty; you ought to reward me for increasing your advantage over your co-wife. Surely, when Rama gains the unchallenged kingdom, he will send Bharata far away, or even to another world.” She reminded Kaikeyi, “While still a child, Bharata was not kept near his maternal uncle by you; closeness breeds affection, even among the immovable. Because of Bharata, Shatrughna too has become just like him—just as Lakshmana follows Rama, so does Shatrughna follow Bharata.” Manthara gave a final warning: “It is said that a tree, meant to be cut down by forest dwellers, is stripped of its branches by arrows, out of great fear due to its nearness. Rama will surely protect Lakshmana, for their brotherhood is celebrated in the world, like that of the Ashvins. Therefore, Rama will never harm Lakshmana, but he might indeed commit wrong against Bharata—of this, there is no doubt.